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Added a bit to ethanol
==Methanol==
==Methanol==
Methanol consists of a single carbon atom, with three hydrogen atoms and a -OH. Traditionally, methanol was produced by the fermentation of wood, leading to the term 'wood alcohol'. Industrially, methanol can be produced by the reaction of [[carbon monoxide]] and [[hydrogen]] (CO + 2 H<sub>2</sub> = CHO<sub>3</sub>OH). The primary use of methanol is its addition to ethanol to make it undrinkable.
Methanol consists of a single carbon atom, with three hydrogen atoms and a -OH. Traditionally, methanol was produced by the fermentation of wood, leading to the term 'wood alcohol'. Industrially, methanol can be produced by the reaction of [[carbon monoxide]] and [[hydrogen]] (CO + 2 H<sub>2</sub> = CHO<sub>3</sub>OH). For this industrial process, copper, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide may be used as catalysts at 250°C and a pressure of 50-100 atm.
The primary use of methanol is its addition to ethanol to make it undrinkable. It has also been used as a [[biofuel]].
Methanol is highly toxic to humans. This toxicity is largely indirect, as alcohol dehydrogense metabolises methanol to form [[formaldehyde]], which causes blindness and death. Small amounts of methanol may be present in alcohol drinks are can cause a burning sensation of the eyes.
==Ethanol==
Ethanol (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH) is a major industrial spirit widely used in laboratories and household applications. Most significantly though, it is the major alcohol in alcoholic drinks.